The Rev. Khader Khalilia

Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary – Master of Divinity

As a candidate for bishop, my vision for the Metropolitan New York Synod is clear: we are called to be a Christ-centered, mission-driven, forward-looking church. Our mission to proclaim the Gospel, make disciples, strengthen congregations and engage the world with God’s justice and love requires bold, practical steps to revitalize congregations, equip leaders, and ensure the sustainability of our shared ministry. 

However, true renewal begins with deep listening and discernment. The bishop’s office must create intentional spaces for conversation and prayer and listen to congregations, clergy, and communities before acting.

 

Many congregations face declining attendance, financial struggles and leadership shortages. We will invest money and effort into revitalization strategies, including coaching, mentoring and shared ministry models. Where appropriate, we will encourage mergers and repurpose church properties for mission-driven uses such as affordable housing, daycare centers, and nonprofit partnerships.

 

A thriving synod must be outward-focused, engaging in evangelism rooted in the real needs of our communities. We will equip congregations to connect through relational evangelism, digital ministry and church planting. Recognizing the diversity of our synod, we will expand multilingual and multiethnic ministries and leverage digital platforms to reach those seeking faith in new ways.

 

Strengthening the clergy pipeline is critical. We must actively recruit and train new leaders, by encouraging young adults, second-career professionals and lay ministers to explore vocational ministry, partnering with seminaries to train leaders who can serve within our synod, particularly in multilingual and immigrant communities, will help us engage our companion churches overseas.

 

Additionally, clergy wellness will remain a priority, with financial assistance, mental health support and sabbaticals ensuring pastors can serve with strength and longevity.

 

To secure our future, we will establish a synod-wide endowment fund and support congregations in developing new revenue streams. Stewardship education will foster a culture of generosity and financial responsibility, ensuring long-term viability.

 

By embracing innovation, strengthening leadership and remaining steadfast in the Gospel, we will build a vibrant, mission-focused synod. Through listening, discernment, and courageous action, we will proclaim Christ, make disciples, and serve our communities—not just today, but for generations to come.

 

Throughout my ministry, I have built and led diverse teams, equipping clergy, staff and lay leaders to navigate complex challenges while strengthening faith formation.

 

One example is my work with Arab and Middle Eastern ministries in the ELCA. Many of these communities lacked resources, institutional support and viable worship spaces. Through strategic planning and collaboration, I secured partnerships with ecumenical allies to establish new worshiping communities. 

 

I have also worked with my current congregation and Nursery School to help them reimagine our ministry through repurposing spaces for community engagement, securing sustainable funding, and mentoring emerging leaders. A key focus of my leadership has been activating and empowering laypeople, recognizing their vital role in the priesthood of all believers. I have helped cultivate a resilient congregation where leadership is shared instead of concentrated.

 

My administrative approach is hands-on, collaborative, and deeply rooted in faith. Strong leadership means not only guiding others but also creating a culture in which discipleship flourishes and lay leaders are empowered to carry out God’s mission.

 

"There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:28. 

 

As an Indigenous Palestinian Christian, I share the Hebrew Scriptures with the Jewish community and the Arabic language with the Muslim community. This unique heritage has shaped my deep commitment to building bridges of understanding and fostering interfaith dialogues rooted in solidarity, love and justice.

 

As Program Director for Arab and Middle Eastern Ministries, I have worked to ensure that our congregations truly reflect the full breadth of God’s people. I have actively recruited and mentored women leaders, advocated for LGBTQ+ inclusion in conservative cultural contexts, and fostered relationships with immigrant and refugee communities. By centering the voices of those historically marginalized—people of color, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and displaced persons—I strive to make the church a more just, welcoming.

 

This commitment to diversity is not just about representation; it is about a transformation of how we serve. When we listen to, uplift and work alongside those on the margins, we create a church that embodies Christ’s radical love. I continue to grow in this work by engaging in ongoing dialogue, learning from diverse perspectives, and challenging systems of exclusion. My leadership is shaped by this continuous journey of listening, learning, and lifting others up.

 

Balancing pastoral and administrative responsibilities require intentionality. Strong leadership is relational leadership. A bishop must be present with congregations in times of joy and struggle, offering spiritual support while also providing clear strategic direction.

 

To do this effectively, I would prioritize clergy wellness, ensuring that pastors have access to sabbaticals and peer support networks. When clergy are spiritually and emotionally nourished, they can better care for their congregations. Additionally, I would implement structured pastoral care for congregations in struggle, whether they are facing financial struggles, leadership transitions, or internal conflict. A synod that values pastoral care at all levels will be a synod where congregations and leaders flourish.

 

Collaboration will also be a priority as I will work closely with the conference of Deans and the synod staff and regularly visit congregations to speak about our shared vision as MNYS. 

 

At the same time, I recognize the importance of an effective and efficient administrative plan to care for the work of the synod. I will assemble a team with the necessary skills to ensure strong administrative leadership, allowing us to be good stewards of our resources and better support the mission of the church. By balancing pastoral care with administrative excellence, we can create a spiritually vibrant and operationally strong synod.

The church’s mission does not end at the sanctuary doors; it extends into the public square. Our faith calls us to be a visible presence for justice, healing, and reconciliation in the world. This commitment–particularly in addressing issues of human dignity, peace and interfaith solidarity has shaped my advocacy.

 

One example of this work was my engagement with Augusta Victoria Hospital in Jerusalem, a Lutheran ministry providing critical healthcare to Palestinians. Recognizing the challenges it faces due to funding restrictions, I traveled to Washington, D.C., to advocate for continued U.S. support. Meeting with policymakers, I emphasized the importance of humanitarian aid and the church’s role in standing with the people in suffering.

 

Additionally, I have been invited to speak on college campuses about the realities of Palestine, Israel, and the Middle East, offering a faith-based perspective on justice and peace. These opportunities allow me to engage with young leaders, challenge misconceptions, and foster meaningful interfaith dialogue.

 

The impact of my leadership is measured not only by policies influenced or funds secured but by the relationships built and the voices empowered. Success is seen when congregations become more engaged in public witness, when marginalized communities feel heard and when the church stands boldly and courageously in the face of injustice.

 

As bishop, I would continue this work by strengthening our synod’s public presence by equipping congregations to be active and present within their communities, amplifying the voices of the oppressed, and ensuring that our church remains a prophetic witness in the world. I would also expand our engagement in digital spaces, using social media and public forums to foster theological dialogue, advocacy and pastoral care. By doing so, we can reach a broader audience, inspire action and create a more connected and engaged church community.

 

I believe that the church is always being reformed by the Holy Spirit for the sake of Christ’s mission in the world. One of the boldest actions I have taken to reimagine ministry was advocating for a mission developer who, after three years in another synod, still lacked a worship site. Despite the pastor’s passion and dedication, bureaucratic roadblocks and logistical challenges prevented their mission from taking root.

 

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, I took decisive action by:

1) Engaging in persistent advocacy with bishops, ELCA Churchwide leadership, and ecumenical partners.

2) Navigating complex administrative hurdles to ensure the mission’s viability in a new synod.

3) Prioritizing the pastor’s well-being, offering personal and spiritual support throughout the transition.

 

This process required not only strategic leadership but also the courage to challenge institutional inertia—to push for change when the easier path would have been inaction.

 

Today, that mission is not only established but thriving, serving as a vital faith community where the Gospel is proclaimed, the sacraments are celebrated and the people of God are nurtured in faith. Seeing the impact firsthand reinforced my conviction that bold leadership requires persistence, collaboration, effective communication, trust and a willingness to challenge the status quo for the sake of God’s people.

 

If elected bishop, I will bring this same commitment to reimagining ministry and strengthening our synod through efforts to ensure that emerging ministries, new mission starts, and historically marginalized communities receive the support they need to flourish. An authentic evangelical Lutheran witness must be both deeply rooted in Word and Sacrament and boldly responsive to the movement of the Spirit in our time.

 

Spiritual Life and Practices: How do you nurture your spiritual life and relationship with God amidst the demands of leadership? Share specific practices or disciplines that sustain you and provide an example of how your spiritual grounding has shaped your leadership.

Leadership is both a privilege and a responsibility, and staying spiritually grounded is essential for sustaining a vision of renewal and transformation. As a person of faith, I am rooted in the church’s rich traditions of prayer, Word and Sacrament and the writing of Martin Luther. My spiritual life is nurtured through praying the Daily Office, meditating on Scripture, and setting aside intentional times for retreat—practices that anchor me in God’s presence and renew my sense of purpose.

 

One of my most sustaining spiritual disciplines is physical exercise. I find working out to be not only a means of maintaining health but also a time of prayer and reflection. Whether in movement or stillness, I seek to listen for God’s voice and discern the Spirit’s leading in my life and ministry.

 

Another essential part of my spiritual well-being is spending time with family, loved ones, and cherished colleagues, sharing meals, engaging in meaningful conversation, and simply enjoying being together. These relationships provide a source of joy, grounding, and renewal, reminding me that leadership is not just about service but also about living fully into the abundant life God gives us.

 

As bishop, I would cultivate a culture of spiritual renewal within our synod by creating intentional spaces for shared prayer and discernment, and ensuring that all leaders have the support they need to remain spiritually nourished. A thriving, healthy church begins with leaders deeply rooted in faith, resilient in spirit, and bold in their witness.